President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday announced a widely expected Cabinet reshuffle, appointing her Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo as foreign secretary, her spokesman said. Arroyo, who was elected to a new six-year term in May, also named Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita as Romulo's replacement, and appointed lawyer Avelino Cruz as new defense chief, presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said. National police chief Hermogenes Ebdane, who is due to retire soon, was named national security adviser, replacing Norberto Gonzales, Bunye said. Romulo replaces Delia Albert as foreign secretary. The officials are among 26 new appointees to Cabinet positions and heads of government agencies, Bunye said.
